States to frame joint strategy to combat Naxalite violence

The PWG, the most dreaded among the extremist outfits, has developed links with other terrorist groups operating in Jammu andKashmir, North-East and Bihar and also established contacts with revolutionary groups of Nepal and other like-minded groups across the globe, sources said.

Keeping in view the implications of PWG’s violent agenda of long-drawn armed struggle, the Centre should reimburse the expenditure being incurred by the state government towards anti-extremist operations, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had said in his memorandum to Union Home Minister L K Advani during a meeting with him in New Delhi recently. The state government has incurred an expenditure of Rs 380.4 crore for its anti-extremist operations during the last five years and a request was made to the Centre for its reimbursement, on the lines of the provision applicable to Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and North-East.

The Government also submitted a comprehensive action plan to the Union Home Ministry in 1996, costing Rs 1,299.17 crore, to strengthen the police force. The matter is now pending with the Planning Commission, an official note circulated ata meeting of district collectors held here recently, said. The state government also pleaded for the waiving of outstanding dues — amounting to Rs 44.91 crore — towards the deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) in Naxal-infested areas, the note said. It also urged the Centre to grant Rs 100 crores for setting up two units of `Greyhounds’, an elite commando force to curb extremist activities, especially in jungles.